She twists, places the glass of wine on a nearby bar height glass table, and readjusts her side to mine, turning so she’s facing me, almost pressing her chest against my side. “Anything I need to know?”
“My dad will hate you and treat you like trash, my mother will stay quiet and act like his behavior isn’t absurd or insulting, and then she’ll give you a kiss on your cheek before they walk away.”
“Sweet. Fake women and judgmental assholes, two of my favorite things.” She smiles up at me as she speaks, her hand landing on my chest as she does it. Despite the worry I have regarding my father, I’m still laughing and smiling down at her when he greets us. Her ability to make this all feel like one big fun game eases my stress and concern of failure.
“Corbin.” I shake my father’s hand as he greets me. Then, leaning forward and keeping my arm wrapped around Teagan, I give my mom a kiss on her cheek.
“Mom, it’s good to see you.”
“You, too, honey,” she replies, pressing the palm of her hand to my cheek. “How are you?”
“Fantastic.” I pull back and put pressure on Teagan’s lower back. “Mom, Father…this is Teagan Monroe. Teagan, Franklin and Elizabeth Lane.”
Without missing a beat, Teagan slides from my grasp and holds out her hand, her blindingly beautiful smile giving off the impression she’s truly excited to meet them. “Hello. It’s so wonderful to meet you.”
My father scowls at her hand like it’s beneath him, and, for not the first time in my life, I’m thankful my dad and I don’t look alike. We might be of similar height, but with his dark hair and even darker eyes, he not only has always been intimidating, he appears that way as well. I’ve long since given up considering the possibility that he has even a small hint of goodness in him. My mom, on the other hand, was all goodness and sweetness, until he sucked the life out of her. She’s always been slender and elegant, blond and blue-eyed, and I’m thankful that despite my father and I sharing our height, my attributes all came from my mom.
My mom’s smile looks genuine enough, but it’s all fake. She can no longer hide the emotionless blank expression in her eyes. She’s simply following her husband’s social cues like she’s been trained to do for over thirty years. And he’s killed any true excitement she used to have.
The familiar rage at my father being a complete asshole slithers through my veins.
“Nice to meet you as well, Teagan,” my mom says, dipping her head in acknowledgment.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Teagan says, dropping her hand and placing it on my forearm like she’s not bothered in the least they ignore it. “You have a lovely son. I’m certain I have you to thank for raising such a gentleman.”
The proverbial smack at my father goes unnoticed by neither me nor my father, whose scowl turns vicious. I move to protect Teagan, trying to shift her to my side, but she holds her ground. I can practically feel her physically brace herself.
“Yes, quite a gentleman he is,” my dad says, his voice low and menacing. “Rescuing the damsel on the street and then moving her into his house. I’m wondering exactly what kind of payment plan you’re on for his car you so carelessly wrecked.”
His tone is clear. But I will not allow anyone, especially this serial adulterer, to insinuate Teagan’s a whore.
Teagan’s hand tightens on my arm, either warning me or comforting me, I can’t tell. It doesn’t matter. Before I can respond, she quickly replies, “No payment plan is necessary, Mr. Lane. We haven’t even discussed it, have we?” She turns to me, her hand soothingly running up and down my arm. “We’ve had other…matters to discuss.” She turns back to my mom and her smile widens. “I’ve been greatly enjoying getting to know Corbin. You know what’s it like, don’t you Mrs. Lane? That moment when you meet someone and you just know your life is going to change in the most delightful ways?” A soft expression hits her eyes, and good Lord, give this girl an Emmy. I don’t know yet whether to throw my head back and laugh or shove my tongue back into her throat. “That’s what it was like the moment I met Corbin. I thought he’d yell at me and we’d exchange insurance information, but instead it’s been one of the best weeks of my life, and I have your son to thank for it.”
“No thanks necessary,” I cut in, knowing my cue. My father’s veins at his temples are bulging and he’s ready to pop. Very rarely does he issue such insults, especially to women, and not leave them flustered and feeling less than him. Yet Teagan has risen to the occasion, even if she is starting to lay it on a bit too thick. I pull Teagan back to my side, smiling down at her, but this isn’t fake. “I’m glad you crashed into me. It’s definitely changed my life.”
And I mean it. Not simply because of the will. If I haven’t been with Teagan, I’ve been thinking about her. Not a minute has gone by when she hasn’t been in my thoughts or I haven’t been staring at the photos of her on my phone.
Fuck, she’s completely twisting me up. And now that I’ve gotten the hint of what she’s like beneath all her kindness, I want more.
“Meeting you, I think, is going to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”
My voice is soft, but thick. The words are meant more for her than for the company still watching us. Teagan’s expression softens further.
“Corbin,” she whispers.
“Quite ironic you’ve met a woman you claim to enjoy so much the same day you learn you must marry.” I glare at my father, somehow managing to pull my gaze off Teagan’s tempting lips.
I will not allow him to get the best of me. Not tonight. “Quite, isn’t it? Funny how life somehow works out exactly the way you hope it will. Right, Dad?”
I drop my hand from Teagan’s waist and clasp her hand in mine, tugging her backward. It’s the perfect moment for an escape as my dad turns a dark shade of purple.
“Excuse us.” I nod and look at my mom, whose fake smile is still plastered on her face. She knows exactly what I’m implying. She’s a master at her facade and it makes me want to slam my fist into my father’s face. “We’ll see you at dinner on Sunday.”
My mother’s smile falters, but I made it clear when I called her I don’t want my father in attendance, not that the likelihood of him being there was high anyway. When he doesn’t have to be at home, he prefers to be with his other family.
As I pull Teagan behind me, I kiss my mom’s cheek again and then get Teagan out of there without giving her the option to say her own goodbyes.
They’re pointless anyway. My dad fired first, but I ended it with the deadly shot.
